AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8415, 14 January 1899, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

-lj» (Electric Telegraph— '"onyrii-'ht -United P/cju Association.) Alelbourxe, Jan. 14. The Conference of Ministers of Agriculture decided that Mr C4eddes' scheme for distribution of Australian produce in Enghnd was not acceptable, but that steps should immediately be taken to secure better methods of lan J ing, storina, and distributing Australian products m Europe. With this object, they said, representatives should be despatched to England to make enquiries. It was also decided that the present time was inopportune for making any joint arrangenient a? to a reduction of ocean freights, but that. Mr Taverner in making arrangements for the new Vietorian°eontracts should be asked to keep in view the possibility of an arrangement beneficial to the other colonies. It was resolved that the proposals submitted for opening a direct trade between Australia and Manchester were not acceptable as it 'would mean the Governments interested having to pay the whole cost of developing the now trade. An officer is to be appointed in connection with a food distribution scheme. He will be deputed to enquire into the matter. Resolutions were carried in favor of developing trade with South Africa ; uniform quarantine regulations ; and reduction of freights on imported stud stock. The Conference (approved of the New South Wales draft Brand Bill, and recommended its adoption as far as possible in the other colonies The Confercnco has closed.